NFL Report, January 5, 2009
1/5/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Jan. 5, 2010
Wake Forest will have just one active player on a playoff roster as the NFL begins its drive to the Super Bowl. Calvin Pace of the Jets will be the only active Deacon in the playoffs. Four other Deacons are on injured reserve for playoff teams including Jyles Tucker (Chargers), Jeremy Thompson (Packers), Stanley Arnoux (Saints) and Chip Vaughn (Saints).
Eric King, Detroit Lions: King was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 12 with a left shoulder injury.
Fred Robbins, Giants: Fred returned to the starting lineup in the Giants' season finale at Minnesota. The playoff-bound Vikings handed the Giants a season-ending 44-7 defeat. New York finished the year at 8-8 and did not make the playoffs. Robbins had one tackle and one quarterback hurry against the Vikings. Robbins played in all 16 games this season and had 25 total tackles and two sacks.
Kenneth Moore, Panthers: Moore started at wide receiver for the Panthers in their 23-10 win over the Saints on Jan. 3. Though he did not make a reception, he was targeted for one pass from QB Matt Moore. Kenny earned the start after Steve Smith broke his arm last week. Carolina finished the season 8-8 and on a three-game winning streak. For the season, Moore had six receptions for 59 yards including a long of 22. He averaged 21.9 yards on 10 kickoff returns and also had two punt returns.
Calvin Pace, Jets: The Jets beat Cincinnati 37-0 on Sunday night to clinch their first playoff berth in three years and Pace started at outside linebacker. "I don't think that people realize that we're the No. 1 defense in the league," Pace told the Sporting News following the game. The Jets (9-7) will play the Bengals again next week in the first round of the AFC playoffs. Pace had two tackles, a sack and a quarterback hurry in the season finale. Pace finished the regular season with 55 tackles and a team-high eight sacks. He also led the team with three fumble recoveries.
Pace will be the only former Demon Deacon on an active roster in the playoffs.
Aaron Curry, Seattle: AC was not active for the Seahawks' season finale against Tennessee. He was listed as doubtful with a shoulder injury and was not active for the game. Seattle lost to Tennessee 17-13 and finished the year 5-11. Curry finished his rookie year fourth on the team with 61 tackles including 54 solos. He also had two sacks.
Alphonso Smith, Denver: The Broncos lost to Kansas City 44-24 in their season finale on Sunday. Smith had two punt returns for four yards and a pair of kickoff returns for a total of 39 yards. His first punt return was for eight yards and he was credited with a four-yard loss on the second return though he lateraled the ball to a teammate who gained five yards on the return. The Broncos finished the year 8-8 after starting the season with a 6-0 record. On the year, Smith averaged 4.7 yards on 10 punt returns and 18.8 yards on four kickoff returns. He made 14 tackles as a rookie.
Denver head coach Josh McDaniels offered the following commentary on Smith during his postseason news conference:
On CB Alphonso Smith saying he was overwhelmed this season due to the difference between college and the NFL:
"We feel good about Alphonso and we really like a lot of things that he did. It takes a big person to say what Alphonso said. I met with Alphonso today and he certainly isn't pleased with his overall production this year and he want s to do a better job of making sure that he can contribute in many more ways than he did this year. I like his attitude and his approach, and I think this offseason is going to be critical for him just like it is for most rookies coming into their second year. Now he does understand the National Football League and what it takes to be successful and contribute. Hopefully he can use that information and work hard this offseason on the things that he needs to work on to try to make an improvement in his game so that he can help us significantly next year."
Jyles Tucker, San Diego: Tucker was placed on injured reserve by the Chargers in November with an ankle injury. His season is over after having made four tackles on the season.
Tyson Clabo, Atlanta: Atlanta posted a 20-10 win over Tampa Bay that allowed the Falcons to finish the year 9-7, posting winning records in consecutive seasons for the first time in franchise history. But their record was not good enough to qualify for the playoffs. Clabo started at right tackle and helped the Atlanta offense accumulate 397 yards of total offense including 183 rushing yards.
Ovie Mughelli, Atlanta: Ovie did not start the season finale, a 20-10 win over Tampa Bay. He had two carries for six yards and a tackle on an interception return. One of his carries was for two yards on a third-and-one situation. Atlanta head coach Mike Smith after the game said "I thought that Ovie Mughelli did a very good job blocking and the guys up front also on the line of scrimmage."
For the season, Mughelli had seven catches for 51 yards and a touchdown while carrying four times for 10 yards.
Desmond Clark, Chicago: Clark started at tight end and caught a one-yard pass from QB Jay Cutler to give the Bears a 27-20 lead midway through the fourth quarter. He finished the game with two catches for seven yards in the 37-23 win over Detroit. Chicago went 7-9 this year but missed the playoffs for a third consecutive season. Clark finished the year with 19 receptions for 145 yards and two touchdowns.
Jeremy Thompson, Green Bay: The Packers closed the regular season with a 33-7 win at Arizona. The Packers and Cardinals will meet again next week in the first round of the NFC playoffs. Green Bay finished the regular season 11-5 and won seven of its last eight games. Thompson played in six games this fall before being placed on injured reserve with a neck injury on Dec. 30. He had two tackles on the season, both coming against Dallas on Nov. 15.
Steve Vallos, Seattle: Vallos saw action at center for Seattle in a 17-13 loss to Tennessee.
Joe Zelenka, Atlanta: Had eight long snaps for the Falcons in their season-ending 20-10 win over Tampa Bay. Zelenka signed with the Falcons as a free agent on Dec. 1, 2009 and played in the final five games of the season.
When he was signed by the Falcons, Joe was asked by the Falcons' Beat Blog about the sudden change in his life after having been released by the Jaguars during training camp.
"It's awesome and it can only happen in America," he said. "And it's an adventure and I'm on it. And I love every single second of it.... I can't wait to play on Sunday. As you're sitting out, you realize how much you love the game. And just the game of it. Not all the other stuff that goes along with it. Just the actual playing side of it and you miss that, it's tough."
Stanley Arnoux and Chip Vaughn, New Orleans: Both Vaughn and Arnoux are on injured reserve for the 2009 season. Arnoux suffered an Achilles injury in the preseason while Vaughn injured his left knee.
